Blizzard Entertainment Inc. in Irvine launched a book-publishing label, Blizzard Publishing, which will develop and release new and out-of-print titles related to the company’s “Warcraft,” “StarCraft” and “Diablo” games, both directly and through ongoing global partnerships.
Upcoming releases are planned in multiple formats, from print novels and Japanese-style comics to audio and e-books, and will include “World of Warcraft: Rise of the Horde” by Christie Golden, “World of Warcraft Adult Coloring Book,” and the “Art of Hearthstone” and “Cinematic Art of StarCraft” coffee table books.
“Great stories and inspiring artwork have always been at the heart of everything we do,” Lydia Bottegoni, senior vice president of story and franchise development at Blizzard Entertainment, said in a statement. “The creation of Blizzard Publishing gives us new opportunities to celebrate the art and stories of our games with Blizzard gamers as well as fantasy and sci-fi fans around the world.”
Blizzard Entertainment is Orange County’s largest software maker, with about 2,000 local employees and 2015 revenue of $1.56 billion.